The venerable Jackson Coney Island took a bold step a couple months back by creating 10 "specialty dogs" that, for the most part, are like nothing most Jacksonians ever tasted or imagined tasting.

Boldest of all is the hot dog they call the Monty Christo. That's right, they spell it Monty, as in Python.

A Monty Christo dog is a sliced hot dog on a toasted bun topped with Swiss cheese and — brace yourself — strawberry jelly. Two of those rectangular jellies from the little foil packs adorned my Monty.

"They say it's pretty good," said the waitress, who conceded she never tried one.

No matter what "they" say, not a single person I told about the Monty Christo had an initial reaction to the description except horror. So it must taste better than it sounds.

Try it, if you dare.

Fruit is not an ingredient on the other specialty dogs. I followed up my Monty Christo with a "Tijuana Dander Dog." (I suspect they meant "Danger," not "Dander." At least I hope so.) That one features bacon, coney sauce, nacho cheese, taco sauce and jalapeño slices. Click here to see a photo.